Humbled

Trophy Doms Social Club #1

by Kate Hawthorne

If I were the kind of man who carved actual notches into my bedpost for every new partner who landed between my sheets, I wouldn’t have a bed left to show for it.

GRAYSON
I know my way around the bedroom and the playroom, so I should have known that flirting with my older--and dominant--boss was a recipe for disaster. But by the time I realize I'm in over my head with the disgustingly rich and perfectly commanding Robert McAvoy, it's too late to turn back. I want him and I crave the way he makes me feel, even if it's confusing and threatens everything about the life I've built for myself.

I'm not a submissive. I'm not meek and I'm not mild, but when Rob is around it's easy to see the appeal in all of those things.

* * * Flirting with Grayson was a bad idea from the start, but I've never been the kind of man to shy away from a challenge.

ROB
He's frustrating, but he's brilliant. He's defensive and dominant, but he's desperate to be taken care of. He's perfect for me, and it doesn't matter how long I have to wait for him to see it because he's worth all of my time and more. A back and forth game leads to something far more real than either of us bargained for, and before long Grayson is in my bed and my heart. I want Grayson on his knees for me, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get him there, even if that means I have to humble myself before the man who’s too scared to trust me with his heart.

Whatever it takes.

Genres: M M Romance, BDSM, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Contemporary Romance, Workplace Romance

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 3, 2023

About the author

With over two dozen published romances to her name, Kate Hawthorne has built a recognizable brand around telling emotional stories that pack a figurative (and sometimes literal) punch.

Existing on a steady diet of wine and coffee, Kate spends her days dreaming up angsty stories full of heat, kink, and heart. Kate now lives in Louisville, where she writes romance, reads romance, and hides from the humidity.

Visit her website at http://www.katehawthornebooks.com

Reviews

[Lilly [Hiatus due to School]]

DNF Review

I was really excited for this series, for Humbled - the premise seemed solid and interesting but I could not get invested or care about the characters at all. This could be a me issue but I think this author is not for me.

[Grace · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF ~7%

I haven't had any luck with this author, but this summary sounded intriguing and the reviews were great, so I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, this is the third unreadable book by this author that I've attempted, so they're going to be a no for me. The writing here is just... not good. This is clearly a spin-off and we start the book with an info-dump chapter trying to give us some of that past context in the most clunky and awkward way possible. We're also dumped in the middle of his flirtation thing with his boss which also starts in the first chapter, and feels really sudden and unsatisfying. The characters were boring, the chemistry was non-existent, and the writing needs a lot of refinement.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grayson knows that getting involved with his sexy boss, Robert McAvoy, would be a supremely bad idea. Rob is commanding, gorgeous, wealthy, and a Dom. But Grayson is a Dom as well, and he is not interested in getting on his knees for Rob, and he knows Hell will freeze over before Rob is getting on his knees for him. Not to mention that people don’t tend to stick around in Grayson’s life and the idea of finally having Rob and losing him is more than Grayson can handle. Rob wants Grayson and he knows they could be amazing together. He loves that Grayson is strong willed and it makes it all the more rewarding when Grayson is willing to submit to him. Rob is also pretty sure that Grayson isn’t the total Dominant that he believes himself to be, but getting Grayson to give them a chance isn’t easy. Luckily, Rob loves a challenge. The characters in this first book, and it seems that it's going to be true for the rest of the series, are a group of very wealthy, and extremely gorgeous Doms. The conflict is that both of these men are a little skittish about relationships in general, combined with the fact that they are both dominate. Grayson might have more of a desire to submit than he has realized...or at least, to submit to Rob. Knowing it and accepting it is two entirely different things for Grayson...and that creates a lot of on again, off again. I think the author does a really good job of exploring things for both men... what they want from each other...what they are willing to give. Grayson has the biggest change, as he is fearful both of accepting his interest in submitting to Rob, but also of taking a risk on any type of relationship in general. I liked the characters, and I liked the idea of the storyline. My biggest issue was that this is such a l-o-n-g story with so much push and pull. It just went on a bit too long with no compromise in sight. Every time it looked like the guys had found a way to get on the same page, something immediately seems to happen to throw them off again. About the time that you think you've reached a part where they have figured it out, they'd be right back to where they started. Some of it is a lack of communication and some of it seemed to be just insecurities coming back. It was just way too much repetition and not enough give and take taking place to move things forward until really late in the story. I think ultimately things come together well when they do finally manage to get it together. In this story we also meet Grayson’s best friends, Wes and Miles. Wes and Miles play big side roles here and their new relationships are impacting Grayson and part of what is making him nervous about being with Rob. There are other connections to various Hawthorne stories as well. Archie, from this book, gets his story in the next book, Edged

[Iz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

Hot, complex and angsty!
I really adored this novel. Kate Hawthorne is slowly becoming one of my to-go-to authors when it comes to kink, and "Humbled" was another absolute delight.

I admit, I loved the first half of the novel a bit more: the push and pull, the chemistry, the "will-they-won't-they" between Rob and Grayson were absolutely electric.

Grayson's struggle with how to label himself after finding he wants to submit to Robert made me really feel for him: he goes through quite an identity crisis, and my heart hurt for him quite a bit. I felt for Robert too: he loves Grayson from the start, even when he didn't actually realize it, and seeing him constantly rejected by Grayson HURT.

Anyway, those two together were fire, and I loved seeing them finally reach a satisfactory HEA.
Even though the second half of the book kinda lost my interest a few times (apart from a secondary conflict between Grayson and his former BFF, the constant rejection and confusion he subjected Robert to made me quite frustrated, and confused at times as well), I adored the ending and I absolutely adored Robert's friends. I can't wait for their novels.

[ML · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spinoff of sorts. Grayson played a major role in the All in Good Time two book series. And finally he gets his HEA with Rob. Technically, you don’t have to read those two books to enjoy this one BUT I’d still read them because Wesley is my absolute fave character in those books and is perfect as Grayson’s best friend. You see glimpses of Wesley in this book too.

Rob is Grayson’s boss and they have been flirting in their own way with each other for awhile. It all comes to a head and Grayson finally has a breakthrough of sorts. This felt very real and raw. It is depicted in such a way that you are not sure how this all will work out in the end. Both must give in a little and both are so very stubborn. It works and the ending is just what you are hoping for.

The side character game is super strong too!
Archer is next to get a book… then… I’m not spoiling that 😳😬😬

[Elodie Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the dynamic dom x dom that are so attracted to each other that they can’t run from each other 😍
Nicely written ~ I started the serie with Praised and I cannot wait to continue the whole serie.

Only point that made me mad was Miles and Hendrix…. I would have literally stop talking to my « BF » if he/she would let 10 years of friendship go to the drain for his/her new partner (not joking) 🙃
I don’t know if the author wrote a book about them but I kinda hope they are not together anymore 😂

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

3.75 stars

Humbled starts Kate Hawthorne’s Trophy Dom Social Club series, featuring a group of wealthy, gorgeous Doms. This story is very character driven and focused in on Grayson and Rob as they push and pull and try to figure out how they can make something work between them. The attraction is there from the start and the guys begin the story already super into each other. There is flirting and sexual tension and Hawthorne builds the dynamic nicely so that I didn’t feel like I had missed anything by jumping into relationship with the guys already hot for one another. The conflict here is that both of these guys are a little skittish about relationships in general, combined with the fact that they are clashing as two Doms.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.

[Brangela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Man-Child

A quick synopsis. Grayson : Mine is bigger. Rob: No mine is. Grayson : I'm a Dom. Grayson: I am so what are you? (blows a raspberry). Rob: Taking my balls and going home! ( sticks out tongue). Me: Would you both just grow the fudge up!! Mature rich accomplished men acting like kids having meltdowns and temper tantrums. Not pretty not interesting.

[Abrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humbled is the first in Kate Hawthorne’s new Trophy Doms Social Club series and if book one is any indication, this book will be nothing but exceptional.

Humbled is a romance about two dominants but it is so much more than that. You might be thinking ‘How can two Doms not only fall in love but enjoy their various kinks with one another?’ This book is the answer.

Rob is dominant, he’s arrogant, and he’s set in his ways. He’s built himself into a man who can have whatever and whoever he wants, and he knows it. When he gives in to Grayson’s incessant flirting, he realizes he might have bitten off more than he can chew. Grayson isn’t only an employee and shameless flirt, but he’s dominant as well.

Grayson didn’t think anything of flirting with his boss. He certainly didn’t think that Rob would flirt back. And he certainly didn’t expect more than flirting to occur between them. What starts off as almost harmless fun between two dominant men who know it couldn’t work, becomes so much more than either of them bargained for.

This book, God this book. It is hands down one of my top favorite books of the year. The pure emotion threaded through each and every single word. Kate Hawthorne is a master at her craft but this book is by far her best. I’ve loved every single book I’ve read from this author but this one is just so exceptional. Everything from the emotional arc to the character development to the pure authenticity of the kink was so well-done it took my breath away.

Grayson is a character who utterly destroyed my heart. He’s so fragile and vulnerable, while at the same time so strong. He goes through a lot emotionally in this book. He wants nothing more than to find a place where he belongs as his world is in upheaval. The people closest to him are falling in love, and while he doesn’t believe that’s for him, he also doesn’t want to be alone. I weeped for him. His melancholy was so visceral that my heart literally broke in two. When he gets involved with Rob, he has strict rules that the two of them break almost immediately. Because of course they do. Does that make it easier? Nope, Grayson fights so hard and for so long, his self-sabotage is hard. It’s also understandable, no one wants to be the person left behind, it’s always easier to prevent that in the first place.

Rob is also lonely. Sure, he has his friends, he has his career, his money, and just about any submissive he could want, but it’s not until Grayson that he finds someone who understands him and his dominance in a way no one else does. Rob tries, he tries so hard to show Grayson the kind of care they both deserve, but not exactly in the right way, at least not at first. I mentioned he was arrogant! And as a Dom and businessman, that serves him well. But a Dom doming another Dom? Compromise needs to be made.

Compromise, that’s what this book is. It’s kink with compromise. Because as two dominants they are very different. They like different things and they’re set in their ways as men who know what they want. But, as with anything in a relationship, they learn how to give and take, how to humble themselves and how it’s not concession because they’re not giving anything up, but gaining so much more together.

The intricate web of mixing kink and two men who are used to getting their way separately isn’t an easy one, but Kate Hawthorne is the perfect author for the job. Grayson learns a lot about himself, the type of dominant he is, and the type of love he deserves. And Rob learns about compromise, how to humble himself, and also how to accept the type of love he deserves. Is it perfect? No, but then the two of them aren’t perfect, they’re human, and humans are flawed.

Humbled is only the first book in this series and I am already so blown away. I cannot wait to see what the author has in store for us, it’s certain to be a wild ride.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this start to a new series. In this book, Rob is a seasoned dom who is very bored with compliant, willing subs who do everything he asks. He's good at domination and he fulfills his partners' needs, but it's just not enough for him anymore.

Grayson is Rob's employee in a highly successful real estate firm. Grayson is an experienced rigger who enjoys dominating and tying up willing subs in one-off scenes. Right now, Grayson is in a bad way. His best friend and former lover has got a new serious boyfriend. The two are so wrapped up in each other that Grayson is clearly demoted to a distant second. It hurts and is not the first time he's felt left behind.

Grayson enjoys flirting and verbally sparring with Rob at work. The two men are doms, so it seems that nothing will ever come of it, but it's fun to imagine. Rob has a weak spot for Grayson and even made a job for Grayson's new roommate as a favor. However, sexual tensions are building between the two men and it's only a matter of time before they react to each other. Someone needs to submit, but it will never be Rob, as domination is too baked into his being. Grayson sometimes fantasizes about submitting, but he's also incredibly stubborn and scared to open himself up to more hurt and loss. He's also truly dominant. The dynamic pings Rob like never before and he engages in the challenge. What happens when both men get sandbagged by off-the-charts feelings that they never expected? Does this relationship have a future or an expiration date?

This book is high-angst, emotional, passionate, difficult at times, and worth all of the love these two men desire. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Kristy Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you read a book that you just couldn’t put down? Like even though life is happening still, your Kindle or phone is sitting next to you and you’re still sneaking in pages? This was me with Humbled by Kate Hawthorne. And let me tell you, when I finished at 2 hours past my bedtime and then dealt with a book hangover and was awake processing for a couple more hours?!! I’m tired today 🥺

We met Grayson in Necessary Space with his best friend, Miles. Grayson is a dominate paradox. He is a dom in a twink body. Grayson is a little lost after Miles meets and falls in love with Hendrix. He is struggling to find his place. Grayson works in high end real estate and his boss is also a dom. Grayson starts flirting with him for fun and to get a reaction. He doesn’t expect that reaction to turn into anything more concrete.

Robert is the owner/boss of the real estate company. He is older, and likes the game of flirting with Grayson. Robert sees himself as a dominate who needs to be in control always and sees Grayson as a challenge.

The two men are explosive in their chemistry but both approach their relationship with the wrong ideals. Robert needs to have Grayson on his knees and Grayson needs to not make that concession. Hard limits are thrown out and both struggle within the boundaries set.

They’re coming together is panty melting and heartbreaking. As the reader you think you can see the way each need to go but the men can’t or don’t and choose poorly. There is a chapter in this book that made me cry big fat ugly tears. I wanted to roll Grayson in a hug. Place my hand on Robert’s cheek. Give them both the praise and encouragement they each needed to see themselves, evaluate themselves, and come to a place where they can be what they need for each other.

Kate Hawthorne is a writer that can bring the heat. Bring the k!nk. But, she also brings the feels. There are 4 more books in this series and I’m here for all of them and wreckage they will bring to me.

[Emily Johnston (Booked.Up.With.Emily) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

If you have read some of Kate Hawthorne’s other books, then you have may met Grayson before. He is the best friend to Miles and Wes. They each found their HEA in their books and now Grayson is feeling the loneliness of not having them to depend on. Until he meets his boss Rob. Who is all wrong for him, but who wants nonetheless. Things to look for in this book:

MM romance ✔️
Age Gap ✔️
Boss/employee ✔️
Two Doms ✔️
Lots of kink exploration ✔️
Millionaire romance ✔️

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Angst level: 💔

Rob and Grayson have an instant attraction to each other, but the closer they get, the more alike they know that they are. As both being Dominants in the bedroom, and in their respective playrooms, they both know that ultimately they could never work. But that doesn’t stop them from trying.

Once they start getting together, their self identifications each slowly shift, one more than the other, and they find themselves wanting each other more than the labels they gave themselves. But will that be enough? Or will one of them sacrifice so much until they become a shell of their former selves?

I loved these two characters and their exploration into new roles in their sexual fantasies! Both of them have claimed to be Doms for all for their sexual lives, but when one of them drastically changes that to be with the other, we really go through it with these characters to find a middle ground where they can be happy together and happy about themselves. And I loved that. This book was so unique in that fact and I believe that the author represented this very well.

Looking forward to the next Trophy Doms book!! Can we get a MMF or MMM book maybe in the future for two of these guys?!

[Jacqueline (Fall In Love With The Sound of Words) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately I was not a fan. I thought this book was okay in the beginning. I wasn't feeling the characters so much but I was intrigued enough to continue. There is one instance in the third act break up that I just COULD NOT. I was so freaking heated by on of the MC's and I do not feel like the grovel was adequate. I was not impressed by this person much in general but I was a bit soured after what happened (feel free to message me if you would like to know more about it).

I haven't decided yet if I will continue the series, maybe I'll feel less mad as time goes on LOL.

[MT · Rating 5 out of 5]

ridiculously amazing

This was truly a beautiful book. It kept me feeling like I was in the story, riding the highs and lows that the characters were experiencing, and feeling all their emotions until they threatened to choke me. I had no idea how the author would manage to make this kind of magic out of a story that began with two Doms, but she managed it with such perfect flow that I’m honestly feeling a bit bereft right now that I’ve closed the book on Grayson and Robert.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected. Going off the blurb, you have two Dominants who somehow make their relationship work. The obvious solutions are either one realizes he is really a Submissive, or they both end up being Switches. But Hawthorne doesn't take the easy, obvious route and I loved this story so much more for it.

Hawthorne always does an amazing job at portraying kink, and this is no exception. Robert and Grayson both struggle with making their relationship work, and their HEA is definitely hard won. Their chemistry and the push and pull between them is scorching, but there is so much care and respect there too. It takes a lot to make me cry while reading, but this book managed it.

I liked that we got to see both MCs in relationships outside of their romantic one with each other. We see Robert interact with his friends, who are a very interesting mix. It's an eclectic group, but they are super supportive of each other. For Grayson, we mostly see Miles and Wesley, his former and current best friend. The drama that these two caused added another depth to the story which I enjoyed.

This book introduced the other members of the Trophy Doms Social Club. I'm looking forward to reading everyone's stories and am hopeful we will get to see a bit more of Robert and Grayson.

I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really unhappy with Miles

Anybody else who read the series want to smack him? I sure did. I love Grayson and Wesley! Looking forward to thenext series.

[etoile1996 · Rating 3 out of 5]

tries to explore power dynamics

I think the idea here is intriguing but I ultimately found myself unsatisfied by this romance. I really liked Grayson as a character in the previous duet, but he spends this entire novel as a mass of insecurity, which isn’t like the him we’d gotten to know and as his counterpoint, Rob tells us he gives something up for Grayson but it never truly feels like enough. It just felt like the characters were saying one thing, behaving in ways that contradicted what they told us, and we were just supposed to take them at their word when what was playing out on the page didn’t make sense. The black moment is so weird because I still don’t see how the break resolved anything? Because it didn’t? Idk. Wesley remains my favorite character I think. I loved Grayson a lot, and I am just kind of bummed that this was his HEA. I guess it didn’t feel like the actual best outcome for him.

[Kristina]

DNF at 50% from boredom. Maybe try again later?

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Doms

Reading two Doms tryin to make a relationship work was interesting. I’m not sure the resolution made the most sense to me, but if Gray is happy then I’m happy. Lol. Gray and Rob have had a bit of an antagonist relationship in prior books (and this one) so their HEA was fun and emotional to read.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting to get Grayson’s story and it did not disappoint! I truly love this story. It was emotional for Grayson and my heart went out to him several times. Grayson became one of my favorites! He is a Dom who falls for another Dom who also happens to be his boss. As Rob and Grayson get closer and closer we see Grayson almost retreat into himself, feeling not worthy of Rob’s attention and not quite willing to submit to another Dom and yet…thru the struggles, they make it thru. The emotional highs and lows of this story along with the kinky dynamic of Hawthorne’s trademark writing, make for one excellent book. I absolutely loved it!

[moonydew · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 stars… DNF 63%
This was a train wreck and I have so many issues with it so let’s name them all.

One, show… don’t tell! Like we totally missed Gray and Rob flirting. We are told and then never showed. We are told Gray is really dominant but again we are almost completely shown. Now don’t get me wrong maybe he feels dominant and is or maybe he’s just a bratty bottom but I couldn’t tell you for sure because we are never shown him with anyone else or described a time he was with others really.

Two, did Gray ever really agree to being his sub? Seriously it seems like he fights it the entire time and I think the author was trying to do the “oh he thought he was a dom but really he’s a sub and wants someone to take care of him”…. Yeah okay. Has anyone told him that? At one point Rob says to himself “and yet… Grayson had given me a mile and I’d refused him an inch” and if that doesn’t perfectly sum up this entire book idk what does. Gray doesn’t want this to be serious? Rob doesn’t care and wants dates. Gray says he’s a top? Too bad Robs in charge. Gray has certain limits and boundaries? That sucks because Rob in the end manages to do everything Gray already said he didn’t… not saying it’s a consent issue but it def doesn’t make me feel good…

Three, Rob is his boss. In a sane and safe BDSM relationship the sub should hold the power and at no point did it feel like Gray had any power at all. Rob told him no when he tried to quit. Rob barely listens to Gray ever, Rob is the villain and I’m not really sure what redeeming qualities I’m supposed to see in this man when all I see is a manipulative asshole. I’m not saying Gray is forced into this by his boss, but at no point does Gray ever feel on equal terms with him which is gross.

Four, Graysons friends are awful? Like omfg if I showed up to my friends house drunk and crying over banging my boss and their S/O was pissy and it was clear they were pissed and didn’t want me there, I’d also fuck off and never be their friend again. What is wrong with these people? It sounds like he doesn’t do this often and it sounds like his friend Miles and him used to be incredibly close and there for each other. Now don’t get me wrong — I’m married — I get that things change in friendships when you get a serious partner, but that doesn’t mean that acting like this is acceptable to someone you care about.

Finally, this dragged and it wasn’t worth powering through when I felt so uncomfortable because of the above reasons so much.

Yuck.

[Petra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this but there are so many frustrating things that I'm giving up at 84%.

The series is a spin off and I think it should be in the blurb.
If I knew, I would not start it. For the simple reason: the beginning is full of info dumping. There are so many characters introduced along with what they mean to whom (I immediately forgot everything lol). But I did not care much, and I was just confused - why do I need to know all this? And why do we skip the flirting phase between the MCs and dive straight to the conflict?

The push and pull was fun, but at 70%, it got old pretty quickly.
Grayson was so frustrating, and sounded so immature for his age. I just wanted to slap him. Poor Rob. Yeah, it is true the relationship is not balanced, but they are old enough to just talk. There were also some contraditions: Grayson being unavailable (physically and emotionally), but Rob was supposed to be the one to open up to him? And since we skip to the conflict (and do not witness much flirting, courting, or just trying to woo the other person), the intimacy fell flat.

The safe word was so OTT and... kinda dumb (even Wesley says it so the author is ware).
The conflict with it is apparent miles away.
The first intimate scenes were really mild (even vanilla), but Grayson said it was the best sex ever?
The more time we spend with them, the more chemistry appears but it took quite a lot of time to feel anything profound between the two of them. And when it finally comes... drum rolls... we get a third act break up. Yep. That was the end of it for me. And the whole conflict with Miles? If you read the series connected (I still have no idea which series that is), I think it would make sense. Here I just did not care. Miles is an asshole and I have no idea why Grayson needs to resolve the issue with him and his BF.

I wanted to love this but the angst was really frustrating since nothing really happens until 70% of the book - any progress the MCs have is immediately snuffed out and Grayson withdraws.

[cupid · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was chronically angsty with rare tiny doses of fluff and cute banter that hooked me back in when i wanted to dnf. the whole vibe of the book just felt pretty depressing to me.

the first half of the novel had grayson throwing his whole identity, his preferences, everything into question while rob's only sacrifice was.. dealing with it, i guess? their dynamic definitely gets better over time, but i hated how unequal it was at the beginning.

i personally loved the safeword scene and it's probably the only angsty bit that i actually enjoyed.

for a series with "dom" in the title, i was expecting way more sex scenes tbh. i have no problems with a low-spice book, but it felt boring to make bdsm such a big part of the plot with so few actual bdsm scenes. why bother giving both characters their own dungeons if they're just gonna use them for conversations and emotional epiphanies

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Emily Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grayson and Rob went on such a journey over the course of this book, and I enjoyed every second of their push and pull towards love. There may have been a brief moment at the very beginning when I assumed Grayson and Rob's cat-and-mouse game was just a prelude to a steamy night, but it didn't take long for me to see that these men were different around each other. Neither was willing to fully cede control in the bedroom, but something kept drawing them back together in a captivating, complex dance of flirting and shying away from each other. Their first time together felt almost angry, an outburst of "why can't I get you out of my head" that set off a domino chain of self-discovery for both men. Grayson in particular struggled to come to terms with the things he wanted from Rob and his identity as a Dom, and I was incredibly invested in seeing him evolve and grow. Though Rob made a few small concessions in his dominant approach to relationships, it was really Grayson who had some of his core foundation upended and had to find a new normal for himself, and it was Grayson who had the hardest time believing he was worthy of the kind of love he wanted. As he and Rob explored the wild passion of their physical relationship, I could feel Grayson's brain whirring endlessly about what it all meant. It didn't help that he and his best friend were going through a rough patch just when he needed support more than ever, and boy did I feel like I was drowning in the emotional turmoil for a long while. In the end, Grayson and Rob had to take some time and space to gain clarity and figure out if they could love each other exactly as they were, and though it hurt in the moment I'm really glad they did. It's not that either of them erased their tumultuous start, but going back to their relationship with love as the foundation made their bond so much stronger and helped them find the balance they were sorely lacking.

**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐️

This was a mixed bag. I really liked Grayson and empathized with his struggles. Robert on the other hand I could take or leave as I found him more annoying than anything else. Even when it was pointed out that it might help Grayson stop fighting him if he showed Grayson he was willing to give something too, he still complained that Grayson didn’t just follow his directions and felt that simply asking (in like one scene) was doing enough bending. The scene right after saying maybe he should be more humble, he goes to Grayson’s house to push and push, constantly stating this is who I am…which didn’t strike me as humbling himself.

His defense is that he’s giving Grayson what he *actually* needs but since he isn’t giving Grayson space to process or tempering his pushing with concessions of his own, it feels as imbalanced to me as it does to Grayson, especially since the balance of power from Grayson's perspective all rests in Robert’s hands—age, success, wealth, experience and being more dominant. I get that it was a journey for both of them and that Robert realized he pushed Grayson too hard too fast at the end, but it was difficult to watch.

I also found Robert’s friends to be insufferable. It seemed the only support they could give was sending Robert someone to suck his dick and coming over to his house to complain about him ruining the mood while availing themselves to his hospitality. Archie at least listens to Robert and gives him some decent advice so he isn’t *quite* as insufferable, but they all felt like one note frat bros. I usually like Dom-Dom stories and the push and pull of making a relationship work, but this one just didn’t hit for me.

[Fernanda Fatio · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️
It’s sexual relationship masqueraded as an emotional relationship. Both men are dominant and don’t like conceding to to their partners. A simple request, such as “come over here” or “talk to me” makes Grayson bristling more than a prickly porcupine. The way he treats Rob over and over with his hot and cold attitude is annoying and immature. He confuses dominance with assertiveness. Rob, older and more mature, knows what he wants and how he wants. When he says “no” to Grayson, he is doing it to protect them both from what could become a toxic relationship and he needs Grayson to figure things out on his own.
Miles disappoints as Grayson best friend. They have know each other for years and in the moment he found himself in a relationship, he forgot what it is to be there when Grayson needed someone. Wesley, in all of his 20 year-old, acted way more mature in calling out his brother and Miles for their shitty behaviour. Wesley and his boyfriend helped Grayson and were there to talk to him when things were hard. I can’t say the same for Rob’s friends, who had only one simple mode to deal with life crisis: have sex with a stranger from the sex club. Archie was the only who actually listened and gave him some decent advice other than shoving submissive to him.
Going to sex clubs to watch Rob’s friends have sex felt weird to me, as was also seeing a bunch of 40+ year-olds men having sleepovers and bringing their sexual partners of the night to Rob’s house. Are they rich and successful men in their 40s or a bunch or frat boys?

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grayson knows his way around a bedroom and a playroom so he should have known that flirting with his older and dominant boss was a recipe for disaster. By the time he realises that he is in over his head with disgustingly rich and perfectly commanding Robert McAvoy. He wants him and craves the way he makes him feel even though it is confusing and threatens everything about the life he has built. Greyson is not a submissive, not meek and certainly not mild but when Rob is around it is easy to see the appeal in those things. Rob knows that flirting with Greyson was a bad idea from the start but he is not the kind of man to shy away from a challenge. He finds Greyson frustrating but brilliant, defensive and dominant but strangely also desperate to be taken care of. They are perfect for each other but have a back-and-forth game that leads to something very real. Greyson is in Rob's be and his heart but if he wants Greyson on his knees for him he will have to humble himself before the man who is too scared to trust him with his heart. Rob will do whatever it takes.

I enjoyed this story with the two men who were both strong and dominant but in different ways which would result in Rob being the dominant in their relationship. I loved that they both loved each other so fiercely that once they had worked out the compromises that either was prepared to take for each other their passion was completely off the charts! Easy to read, feel and understand there are a lot of strong emotions in this story. This is an MM story with mature content and BSDM-like D/s dynamics.

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Humbled has a great beginning as Grayson and Robert have been work partners in a real estate business for the past five years, with the story starting.

Grayson, 28 years was a dominant and loved his rope kinks, but the one thing he never did was kneel. He worked for Robert, aged 40 years, each other pushing buttons in their flirting game.

I loved the younger/older MCs pairing with both being Alpha Doms in this story; yeah, it can’t get hotter than that.

Grayson had his rope play, while Rob had his power play. Smoken 🔥hot sexy scenes which I loved, especially the window scene and others. I could feel their emotions come through in the story, especially Gray’s. His part of the story is touching as he fights his feelings about himself and for Rob. I loved the ending of Humbled and the drama that went with it. It is a great story for their romance, both finding their perfect unexpected match. Humbled finished with their HEA with both POVs included. The author has entwined some people from the All in Good Time series in this as secondary characters.

also reviewed on mmbookwormreviews.com

[Mystisith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐. 2 Doms fall in lust then in love but their relationship is chaotic because... I don't know why honestly.
I was waiting for our conflicted rigger to give us an explanation for why subbing (or switching more precisely) was such a difficult thing to accept for him. Education from a macho father, sexual assault... But we were given no reason. That made all the drama hard to take at face value because without such an obstacle, all they had to do to solve the "dynamic equation" was negotiating. A good Dom will always adapt to his sub, weird limits or triggers included & even more if there's real affection. *Still puzzled hours later*.
On a sidenote, what is with all those high functioning alcoholic men in romance stories lately? The amount of ethanol ingested per day is all but healthy. It's not exactly sexy either & a big no before playing (even if the BDSM content is light in this book, there is always the problem of muddled consent).
We were introduced with (too?) many secondary characters, who will of course be the heroes of the next books in the series. Wesley was the only one that stuck with me (baby Dom alert!), also Val, the sub in a triad. We'll see how it goes.